ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Centre to set up/upgrade 2 lakh micro food processing enterprises from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crores-Prahlad Singh Patel
MoFPI has so far approved 41 Mega food Parks, 353 Cold Chain projects, 63 Agro Processing Clusters, 292 Food Processing Units
Sanctioned projects are estimated to benefit about 34 lakh farmers on completion
Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Shri Prahlad Singh Patel today said that as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Initiative, MoFPI is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Schemefor setting up/upgradation of 2 lakh micro food processing enterprises. The enterprises can be set up or upgraded through credit linked subsidy during five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crores. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Shri Patel said, the Central Scheme-PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme  provides financial, technical and business support for these enterprises.
Moreover, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries  has been implementing Central Sector Umbrella Scheme - Pradhan MantriKisan SAMPADA Yojana  since 2016-17 for overall growth and development of food processing sector, including processing of agro- products and thus increasing the income of the farmers.
The component schemes of PMKSY are -  Mega Food Park,  Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure,  Creation /Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities,  Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Clusters,  Creation of Backward & Forward linkages,  Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure,  Human Resource and Institutions,  Operation Greens. Under component schemes of PMKSY, MoFPI provides mostly credit linked financial assistance  in the form of grants-in-aid to entrepreneurs for setting up of food processing / preservation industries.
So far, Ministry has approved 41 Mega food Parks, 353 Cold Chain projects, 63 Agro Processing Clusters, 292 Food Processing Units, 63 Creation of Backward & Forward Linkages Projects & 6 Operation Green projects across the country under corresponding component schemes of PMKSY.
These sanctioned projects are estimated to benefit about 34 lakh farmers on completion. In the evaluation study of Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme conducted by M/s NABARD Consultancy Limited  in Year 2020, it has been estimated that captive projects under the scheme have resulted in increase in farm-gate prices by 12.38 % and each project is estimated to benefit more than 9500 farmers.
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SNC/TM/RR
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Ministry of Defence
ISRO and DRDO ink MoUs to provide technologies for human centric systems for Human Space Mission
Indian Space Research Organisation  has joined hands with Defence Research and Development Organisation  for development of human centric systems for the Human Space Mission to demonstrate its human space flight capabilities. A delegation of ISRO scientists, led by Director, Human Space Flight Centre  Dr S Unnikrishnan Nair, signed a set of MoUs with various DRDO labs here today to provide technologies for human centric systems and technologies specific to the Human Space Mission.
The MoUs were signed by Directors of Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment , Defence Food Research Laboratory , Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro Medical Laboratory , Defence Laboratory  Jodhpur, Centre for Fire, Explosive & Environment Safety , Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences  and Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences  in the presence of Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr G Satheesh Reddy and Scientist & Director General , Dr A K Singh.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr G Satheesh Reddy said the technological capabilities existing in DRDO laboratories for defence applications will be customised to meet the requirements of the human space mission of ISRO. Some of the critical technologies to be provided by DRDO to ISRO include space food, space crew health monitoring and emergency survival kit, radiation measurement and protection, parachutes for safe recovery of crew module and others.
DG , Dr A K Singh said DRDO is committed to provide all necessary support to ISRO for the human space flight and customisation of the required technologies has already been initiated to meet the stringent timelines. ISRO aims to demonstrate human spaceflight capability before the 75th anniversary of India’s independence in 2022.
ABB/Nampi/DK/Savvy/MTJ/ADA/Anand
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Ministry of Finance
Loans worth more than Rs 1 Lakh crore disbursed under ECLGS
Under the 100% Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme  backed by a Government of India guarantee, Banks from Public & Private Sectors have sanctioned loans worth over Rs. 1.5 lakh crore as of 18th August, 2020, of which more than Rs 1 lakh crore has already been disbursed. The ECLGS was announced by the Government as a part of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Package, to mitigate the distress caused by lockdown due to COVID-19 by providing credit to different sectors, especially MSMEs.
The details of total loans sanctioned and disbursed by Public & Private Sector Banks are:
Under the ECLGS, Public Sector Banks  have sanctioned loans of Rs 76,044.44 crore, out of which Rs 56,483.41 crore has already been disbursed. Whereas Private Sector Banks have sanctioned loans of Rs 74,715.02 crore out of which Rs 45,762.36 crore has already been disbursed. The top lenders under the Scheme are State Bank of India , Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank , Bank of India, Union Bank of India and HDFC Bank Ltd.
Details of Loans sanctioned & disbursed by 12 PSBs are as follows:
State wise details of loans sanctioned and disbursed under ECLGS by PSBs are as follows:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India reports less than 60,000 daily cases after 81 days; 58,419 Daily New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload further declines to 7,29,243
Daily Recoveries outnumber Daily New Cases for 38th consecutive day
Recovery Rate increases to 96.27%
Daily Positivity Rate stands at 3.22%,less than 5% positivity for 13 consecutive days
In a significant development, India has reported less than 60,000 daily cases after 81 days. The country has reported 58,419 New Cases in the last 24 hours. India continues to report a sustained slide in the daily new COVID-19 cases.
Less than 1 lakh Daily New Cases have been reported for 13 continuous days now. This is a result of sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs.
India has also been witnessing a continuous fall in the active caseload. The country’s Active Caseload today stands at 7,29,243 today.
A net decline of 30,776 is witnessed in the last 24 hours and active cases are now only 2.44% of the country's total Positive Cases.
As more people are getting recovered from COVID-19 infection, India’s Daily Recoveries continue to outnumber the Daily New Cases for 38 consecutive days now. 87,619 recoveries were registered in the last 24 hours.
Over 29 thousand  more recoveries were reported during the last 24 hours as compared to the daily new cases.
Out of the people infected since the beginning of the pandemic, 2,87,66,009 people have already recovered from COVID-19 and 87,619 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours. This constitutes an overall recovery rate of 96.27%, which is showing a sustained increasing trend.
With substantially ramped up testing capacity across the country, a total of 18,11,446tests were conducted in the last 24 hours in the country. Cumulatively, India has conducted over 39.10crore  tests so far.
While on one side testing has been enhanced across the country, a continued decline in weekly case positivity is noticed. Weekly Positivity Rate is currently at 3.43% while the Daily Positivity rate stands at 3.22% today. It has remained less than 5% for 13 consecutive days now.
A total of 27,66,93,572 vaccine doses have been administered through 37,91,686sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am today. 38,10,554 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours.
These include:
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
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|
1,01,19,241
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
70,65,889
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,71,08,593
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
90,32,813
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|
Age Group 18-44 years
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|
1st Dose
|
|
5,42,21,110
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
12,27,088
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|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
7,98,16,559
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,26,54,117
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|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
6,44,21,583
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2,10,26,579
|
|
Total
|
|
27,66,93,572
Ministry of Defence
Reimbursement of one pulse oximeter per family allowed under ECHS to fight COVID-19
As measuring of oxygen saturation level is one of the most important parameters for monitoring the health of COVID-19 patients, Ministry of Defence , Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare  has decided to reimburse the cost of pulse oximeter purchased by the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme  beneficiaries subject to the following conditions:
 The ECHS beneficiaries who have been tested positive for COVID-19 infection are permitted to purchase one pulse oximeter per family. In other words, in case there are more than one COVID positive cases in a family of ECHS beneficiary, they can claim reimbursement only for one pulse oximeter.
 The reimbursement shall be claimed as per actual cost of pulse oximeter, subject to a ceiling of Rs 1,200.
ABB/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy/ADA
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Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Mahila Kisan Diwas celebrated
E-book on ‘Inspiring Stories of Progressive Women Farmers’ and two short video films on Women Farmers released
The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare organized Mahila Kisan Diwas through Video Conferencing on 15th October, 2020. This event was held under the guidance of Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare which was graced by Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary  and other senior officers of the Department. A series of activities were undertaken on this occasion.
Interaction between Shri Parshottam Rupala and successful women farmers and women entrepreneurs was held during the event. The e-book on ‘Inspiring Stories of Progressive Women Farmers’ was released and two short video films on ‘Mahila Krishak and her Contribution in Agriculture’ and ‘Global Examples of Successful Women Farmers’ were launched during this event.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister of State stated that women farmers and women Self Help Groups  play an important role in agriculture development with their significant contribution to boost the rural economy. He emphasized that the inspirational success stories of women farmers should be replicated in other States to encourage the women farmers across the country. Value addition of agri produce should be done at village level through women Self Help Groups and supply chain to be developed for transportation to the urban area. In addition, beekeeping, fishery, poultry, animal husbandry have major scope for women farmers and women centric schemes in these sectors need to be promoted in consultation with the representatives of women farmers.
Secretary  also expressed his views on the occasion and emphasized that the women farmers may avail the benefits of all farmer centric schemes especially the Kisan Credit Card and Farmer Producer Organizations. The recently introduced two farming acts namely “The Farmers’ Trade and Commerce  Act, 2020” and “The Farmers  Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020” will promote the livelihood of the rural community. The provision of value addition of raw agri produce at village level would be encouraged under the Post Harvest Management component of recently introduced Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Hybrid Seed Mini Kits
The Government has approved a pilot project for Hybrid seed mini kits distribution of Mustard through National Seeds Corporation during Rabi-2021-22 under National Food Security Mission-Oilseeds . Hybrid Mustard seed mini kits have been distributed to major Mustard growing States, such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat. The state of Andhra Pradesh has not been included for this pilot project since the climatic conditions in the state are not suitable for this crop.
The details of distribution of Hybrid seed mini kits of mustard is given below:
|
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Sl
No.
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|
State
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Allocation
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|
Supply
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|
Minikit

|
|
Qty

|
|
Minikit

|
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Qty

|
|
1
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
20000
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|
300
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|
20000
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|
300
|
|
2
|
|
Haryana
|
|
15000
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|
225
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|
15000
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|
225
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|
3
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|
Madhya Pradesh
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|
30000
|
|
350
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|
30000
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|
350
|
|
4
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
20000
|
|
260
|
|
20000
|
|
260
|
|
5
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
35000
|
|
480
|
|
35000
|
|
480
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
120000
|
|
1615
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|
120000
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|
1615
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
185.55 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India's Active caseload currently stands at 11,365
Active cases stand at 0.03%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.76%
1,194 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,25,01,196
1,150 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
79.34 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 4,66,362 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari emphasizes on maintaining equilibrium between ecology, environment and development
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari has emphasized on maintaining equilibrium between ecology, environment and development. Inaugurating ‘Industrial Decarbonization Summit 2022’  - Road Map for Carbon Neutrality by 2070 he said to overcome power shortage, it is essential to develop alternative fuels. He said eccentric one sided approach in these issues is not beneficial for the country.
Shri Gadkari said in the coming days, we have to strengthen our economy and at the same time save the environment. He said our priority is green hydrogen, by using Biotechnology we can increase the productivity of Biomass and by using Biomass we can make Bio-ethanol, Bio-LNG and Bio-CNG. He said pollution will decrease by usage of methanol and ethanol. The Minister said that a focused road map should be created and adequate research must be done so that we reduce our imports and increase exports .
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MJPS
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Ministry of Tourism
7500 Sq Ft Tricolour displayed at Dal Lake as part of celebration of 75 years of Independence
The Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India , Institute of Hotel Management Srinagar and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute , Darjeeling in a joint effort displayed a 7500 Sq. Ft Indian Tricolour at the bank of Dal Lake, Srinagar. This was as part of celebrating 75 years of Independence and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha was the Chief Guest and addressed on this historic event. In his speech Lt Governor extended warm greetings to the people of Jammu & Kashmir and talked about the developmental plan for next 25 years.
The Flag itself was weighing 80-85 kg with supporting elements. It is pertinent to mention that Team HMI had displayed the same Flag first time in Sikkim Himalayas in April 2021 and subsequently, at Victoria Memorial, Kolkata on 15th Aug 21 and at Statue of Unity, Gujarat on 31 Oct 2021.
Thereafter, the Flag was displayed at Antarctica, setting the World Record of Largest National Flag of any country displayed for the first time in Antarctica. Now, in line with Govt. of India’s Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and also Azadi Ka Amrit Mohotsav, the Flag is being displayed in Srinagar.
The Flag, before arrival in Srinagar, was displayed in Darjeeling on 08 Aug 2022 on the occasion of 80 Years of QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT. Since, the Flag is so huge in size, it was made in three panels. Special attention was given to its stability factor and safety anchors were appropriately fitted, so that the Flag can withstand the weather extremities from high velocity mountain winds to subzero temperature of Antarctica and also other extreme weather elements.
Shri Anil Oraw, Regional Director  traditionally welcome the Lt Governor and spoke about the importance of displaying the flag in Dal Lake Srinagar. Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta IAS, Chief Secretary, J & K, Shri Sarmad Hafeez, IAS Principal Secretary and other senior Govt Officials, travel trade stakeholders, media, attended the ceremony. The events was also attended by people from all walks of life including representatives from travel trade & hospitality sector, hoteliers, Govt. officials, students, media and others.
AYUSH
Financial Management and Governance Reform Initiatives in Ministry of AYUSH
The Ministry of AYUSH has rolled out a set of initiatives to improve Financial Management and accelerate Governance Reforms. These initiatives have two thrust areas, namely the Government Schemes  and the Autonomous Bodies of the Ministry.
The road-map to this set of initiatives were laid down by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary  and Shri Dharmendra Singh Gangwar, Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in a high level meeting in the Ministry held in September, 2020. These were taken up for implementation on priority by the different units of the Ministry. Drawing up the list of financial and governance reforms, and designing programme/schemes to ensure that fund flow is reached to Project Implementation Agency in a seamless and direct manner are among the ground work activities identified. These will be supplemented with timely release of funds to State Governments with matching shares and pre-defined triggers so that there is no parking of funds at any level. These steps, thus serve to nullify some of the frequently observed bottlenecks that delay government projects.
An immediate impact of this initiative has been the increased adoption of the Public Financial Management System, the modern and speedy accounts management system of the Government, by the Autonomous Bodies and Schemes Units of the Ministry.
The practice of the Autonomous Bodies  entering into a Memorandum of Understanding  with Ministry of AYUSH with performance targets has also been adopted and implementation with respect to many of the ABs. These MoUs will help to align the outcomes of the Autonomous Bodies with the goals and objectives of the Ministry, and to eliminate overlaps and wastages of efforts and resources.
In order to pre-empt leakage and increase speed, all payments like stipends to students etc., will be through electronic mode, on the Direct Benefit Transfer  platform
Introduction of Third Party Evaluation of all Government Schemes of the Ministry is another step, and this will be carried out by November, 2020. This will lead to objective evaluation of outcomes and consequent performance improvement.
Considering that the National Ayush Mission  is a flagship project with country-wide impact on promotion of AYUSH systems, special efforts will be taken to streamline its operations. Steps are initiated to develop a portal, on the lines by N-FAMS  for National AYUSH Mission  – March, 2021. It was also decided to develop a Dashboard for real time monitoring of flow of funds.
This series of financial governance reforms initiated in September 2020 in the Ministry are already showing results in the outcomes of Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector Schemes as well as in the functioning of Autonomous Bodies. The different units have increased the usage of portal for online submission of Utilisation Certificates, physical & financial report, State Annual Action Plan and DBT related information.
In the handling financial matters, the Autonomous Bodies has been empowered by these initiatives, with a visible improvement in outcomes.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Raising of Bonds of Rs. 2360 crores for Renewable Energy
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to Raising of Bonds of Rs. 2360 crores for Renewable Energy.
The Bonds will be raised by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy  through the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency  during the 2017-18. These funds will be used by MNRE in the approved programmes/schemes for solar park, green energy corridor, generation-based incentives for wind projects, CPSU and defence solar projects, viability gap funding for solar projects, roof-top solar, off-grid/grid-distributed and decentralized renewable power, investment in corporations and autonomous bodies etc. Such timely investment would boost infrastructure in renewable sector and facilitate achievement of ambitious targets for the renewable energy sector. The resources raised would be used for developing additional capacity in renewable energy sector which would result in generation of additional employment.
Background
The Government had declared additional finance mobilization of Rs. 31,300 crore bonds through NHAI, PFC, REC, IREDA and IWAI in the budget for FYT 2016-17. As a part of this, the Government had allocated Rs. 4000 crores to IREDA to raise “GOI fully serviced taxable Bonds” on behalf of the MNRE during the FY 2016-17. Out of this allocation, IREDA had raised Rs. 1640 crores as per the requirement of MNRE. The MNRE subsequently approached the Cabinet, to approve raising of the balance Rs. 2360 crores in the year 2016-17.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Brand NIPER shines again: makes its place in top ten institutes of Higher Education in pharma category
In National Institutional Ranking Framework  NIPER, Mohali, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad gets 3rd, 5th and 8th Rank respectively
National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research , under the aegis of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers makes its place in top ten Institutions of Higher Education in pharma category.
This clearly underlines their improving performances and commitments to the cause of education, research and innovation in field of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This latest ranking have definitely added the shine to ‘’ Brand Niper’’.
Union’ Minister for chemicals and fertilizers Shri D V Sadananda Gowda and MoS Shri Mansukh Mandaviya have congratulated all faculties and students of NIPERs for tireless efforts displayed by them to achieve this success.
Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has released “India Rankings 2020” of Institutions of Higher Education in various categories on the basis of their performance on five broad parameters.
In pharmacy category NIPERs have much to cheer about on the declared ranking. Out of seven NIPERs all across the country, SAS Nagar  has retained its third position, while NIPERs at Hyderabad and Ahmedabad have improved one rank from the last year and have been ranked 5th and 8th position in the country respectively’ as they did in previous year also.
Most importantly, this year ranking saw the remarkable stellar performances by other three NIPERs at Guwahati, Raebareli and Kolkata, who have entered for the first time and ensured 11th, 18th and 27th spots for themselves.
Under the annual ranking, various Universities, colleges, medicine, dental, law, architecture, engineering, management and pharmacy institutes are ranked.